Scanner Email Subject Automation for Destination-Based Filtering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-function peripherals and electronic blackboards lack the capability to automatically set suitable email subjects for filtering, making it challenging to appropriately filter emails based on their content.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with a scanner that includes a memory and processor to manage destinations, set email subjects based on pre-registered names, and transmit emails to designated destinations, automatically using the destination names as email subjects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional multi-function peripherals or electronic blackboards are used for email transmission, then email transmission capability is provided, but automatic email filtering based on subject is not achieved because suitable subjects cannot be set

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic email filteringVSAvoidsubject setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically setting the email subject based on the attachment file name before the email is transmitted. This eliminates the need for manual subject input and enables subsequent automatic filtering at the receiving end, resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual subject input is required for each email, then email transmission can be performed, but user burden increases and work efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidsubject input operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically generating the email subject from the attachment file name without requiring user intervention. This eliminates manual subject input operations while maintaining email transmission functionality, thereby increasing productivity and reducing user burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If no subject setting function is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but email filtering capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemail filtering capabilityVSAvoidsubject setting function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by making the subject setting function work for all email transmissions automatically based on attachment file names. This single mechanism provides both email transmission capability and filtering capability without requiring separate complex subject setting procedures, thereby enhancing adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250227082A1Image processing apparatus and control method

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus including a scanner includes one or more memories storing instructions, and one or more processors capable of executing the instructions causing the image processing apparatus to manage one or more destinations each with a name in a destination book, perform control to set a subject for an email to which a file including image data generated using the scanner is attached, and transmit the email to a designated destination, wherein the control is performed to set a name of the designated destination as the subject of the email.